The Tale of the Hawk and the Wren

by alae-megallen

The Avengers are sent to recruit a new agent, Kala Jenkins, who has a story and power of her own. But in the days to come, in the lead up to a greater battle than they could ever have imagined, they will find out the true meaning of being a team and dealing with the war to follow. And amidst all the chaos, the Hawk and the Wren find solace in each other. Rated T for later chapters.

10. Safe and Sound

When Kala woke up, she half expected herself to be in a cold, sterile bed aboard the helicarrier or in one of the private medical suites of the local hospital. What she didn't expect, was to find herself in her warm, comfortable bed back at Stark Tower and Tony Stark sitting at her bedside, sipping aromatic coffee and reading the newspaper. She blinked groggily and shifted slightly, wiggling her fingers to feel the catheter in her hand before she muttered, "I must be dreaming."
Tony raised his head from the newspaper and smirked before replying, "You're not dreaming, sweetheart. You look a little worse for wear though."
Kala lifted a hand to her face and felt the swelling and dull thudding of pain in her mouth before she shifted again and hissed at the pain in her shoulder.
"Might wanna take it easy." Tony said, that amused smirk ever present on his face. Kala rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand, before blinking again against the bright morning sun coming through the window before she saw Clint slouching in the doorway, his face stern and his blue orbs never leaving her own. She tried to smile but it hurt to move her mouth too much and instead she sighed and tried to get comfortable before Tony cleared his throat, rising from his chair before taking a last sip of coffee and folding the newspaper beneath his arm.
"I'll leave you and Romeo to it. Don't go doing anything strenuous now." Tony teased and Kala rolled her eyes and shot him a pointed look before he left her apartment.
"How long was I out?" Kala said in a croaky voice, trying desperately to shift into a sitting position. She winced slightly at the pain in her shoulder before settling herself back against the pillows.
"About three days." Clint replied and Kala relaxed slightly just hearing his voice before he was walking toward her and easing himself down gently on the bed beside her. Kala linked her fingers with his own and met his eye and he whispered, "You scared me."
"Sorry about that." Kala replied with a small smile then asked, "Why the hell was Stark calling you Romeo?"

"That would be Natasha's fault." Clint said with a small, wry grin and Kala raised her eyebrow and questioned, "What did she do?"

"She made it very clear to everyone that we were no longer just friends." Clint explained and Kala groaned and said, "Are we going to have to have one of those awkward discussions with Fury?"

"I already talked to him about it." Clint responded simply and Kala raised her eyebrow in question before he added, "We just need to make sure it doesn't affect our work."

Kala nodded in agreement, staring down at their hands entwined before she managed to choke out, "I can't believe it's finally over."

Clint met her eye and noted the profound weariness in the depths of her amber irises before he touched her cheek softly and responded, "It's over, Kala. I won't let anyone else hurt you."